Out of the tragedy that visited Westport Tuesday also emerged a story of survival and heroism, along with a cautionary tale that could save others' lives. It all began when a small boat carrying a trio of duck hunters capsized in the frigid waters of the Westport River Tuesday. Thanks to the swift, valiant response of local, state and U.S. Coast Guard rescuers in extremely challenging conditions, Westport resident Gregg Angell, 51, is recovering in Rhode Island Hospital after being treated for hypothermia. Tragically, the two other men in his hunting party — Steven James, 53, of Marshfield, and Robert Becher, 55, of Cromwell, Conn. — were found dead at Westport's Cherry & Webb Beach. Were it not for the impressive search and rescue mission carried out by the well-coordinated, professional first responders, Angell would have certainly met the same fate in the unforgiving conditions. Tuesday's dramatic turn of events began unfolding at 8 a.m., when a River Road resident spotted a capsized skiff and called Westport Harbormaster Richard Earle, who then contacted Westport police and fire officials. Authorities began searching the river and Westport Harbor for the 15-foot, aluminum-hulled skiff. About 20 minutes later, Earle found the boat tangled in a mooring, and police responded to track down the owner and gather information about the missing parties. James and Becher, who, along with Angell were avid sportsmen and well-respected members of their communities, were sadly found dead. Rescuers faced severe challenges from the elements: 8-degree air temperature, 35-degree waters, 3-foot waves and 30-knot winds. But despite the elements, rescuers spotted Angell and a U.S. Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter crew rescued the man from Corey's Island, where he sought refuge, immediately transporting him to Rhode Island Hospital. His wife said that Angell, a gynecologist at Hawthorn Medical Associates, suffered frostbite to his fingers and knees, but is expected to make a recovery and be discharged in a couple of days. Westport police, Westport fire, Massachusetts Environmental Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team, the State Police Air Wing and state police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office, who were involved in the response, all deserve credit for their tremendous actions. As Coast Guard Lt. Bryan Switneck said, "It's tragic that this case resulted in two lives lost, and it is nothing short of miraculous that one hunter was saved. It took teamwork between the Coast Guard rescue crews and our interagency partners to get him to safety." In addition to the heroic teamwork of his rescuers, it seems that Angell may have had a guardian angel watching over him on Tuesday.